Sympathy explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Nature and the Divine

  The speaker's joy and wonder at mountain, plain, and sea are central, linking natural beauty to divine contemplation.

• Suffering and Humility

  The speaker acknowledges human limitation ('dim-eyed men') and finds solace only in the Savior's dual nature.

• The Role of the Saint

  The souls of the just and elder spirits are considered but found distant from human sympathy, highlighting the unique role of Christ.

Characters to notice

• Unknown

  The speaker who calls upon souls and spirits, expressing personal joy and longing for sympathy.

• The Dead

  Addressed as 'Souls of the Just,' they are invoked but deemed unable to share the speaker's earthly joy.

• Angel

  Referred to as 'elder Spirits strong' who have lived among humanity since the beginning and possess mighty ken.

• Christ

  Addressed as 'Saviour,' the one whose eyes are all-divine and heart all-human, capable of true sympathy.

Key passages

• “Souls of the Just, I call not you To share this joy with me, This joy and wonder at the view Of mountain, plain, and sea;”

  I do not ask the righteous departed to partake in my delight and awe at the natural landscape.

  The speaker explicitly excludes the souls of the just from sharing his earthly joy.

• “Ah, Saviour! I perforce am Thine, Angel and Saint apart: Those searching Eyes are all-divine, All-human is that Heart.”

  O Savior, I am necessarily Yours, separate from angels and saints; Your eyes are fully divine, yet Your heart is fully human.

  The speaker affirms that only Christ, with both divine and human natures, can truly sympathize.